Original Research Article DOI: 10.18231/2394-2126.2018.0019 Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology, January-March, 2018;5(1);81-84 81 Micronucleus assay in formalin exposed individuals N. Pratheepa Sivasankari 1,* , S. Sundarapandian 2 , E Sakthivel 3 1 Associate Professor, 2 Professor, Dept. of Anatomy, 3 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, SRM University, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding Author: E mail: drpratheepa88@gmail.com Abstract Introduction: The aim of the study was to find out the nuclear abnormalities like Micronuclei in the oral mucosa of the formalin exposed individuals in the department of anatomy. This MN Aaasy is an inexpensive method. Materials and Methods: Faculties and staffs working in the department of anatomy and the first-year students were included in this study. Study sample consists of 50 subjects and was divided into 5 groups according the years of exposure. By scraping with the wooden spatula in the buccal mucosa Oral squamous cells were collected and smeared on the slides. The smeared slides were fixed with methanol glutaraldehyde fixative and stained with giemsa, maygrunwald stain. After airdrying 1000 cells were screened for Micronucleus (MN). Results: Micronuclei frequency was more in the group who had more than 15 years of formalin exposure. The mean MN count was 9.60 and it was statistically significant when compared to other groups. Conclusion: Micronucleus Assay is the most simple, feasible, inexpensive method to find out the nuclear abnormalities at an early stage in the formalin exposed individuals. Keywords: Formalin, Buccal Mucosa, Micronucleus. Received: 01 st August, 2017 Accepted: 31 st October, 2017 Introduction India is likely to have 17.3 lakh new cases of cancer by 2020 with cancers of breast, lung and cervix. 1 The national cancer institute included formaldehyde as a carcinogen. 2 Formalin is a dissolved gas of Formaldehyde in concentrations from 37% to 54%. Formalin is used in embalming processes as a disinfectant and preservative. Occupational exposure for formaldehyde is 1 ppm 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) and 2 ppm for short-term exposure limit (STEL). The recommended exposure standards provide adequate protection and protection against cancer. 3 The genotoxicity of formaldehyde is due to the formation of DNA-protein cross-links. 4 International organizations formed the guidelines for the safety assessment of chemicals. The micronucleus test the most feasible, reliable assay to assess the induction of nuclear abnormalities and useful in identifying the occupational exposure hazards and risk assessment. 5 MN contain chromosome breaks lacking centromeres (acentric fragments) or whole chromosomes that are unable to join to the spindle poles during mitosis. MN is smaller than the main nuclei, hence the term “Micronucleus” (Fig 1). Micronucleus Assay is to find out the chromosome breakage and chromosome loss. 6 Fig. 1: Arrow shows Micronucleus The aim of the study was the study to identify the occurrence of Micronuclei (MN) in individuals with different duration of formalin exposure. Materials and Methods Materials: Methanol, Glacial acetic acid, Giemsa stain and maygrunwald stain. Inclusion criteria: Faculties and staffs working in the department of anatomy and the first-year students Study sample consists of 50 subjects and was divided into 5 groups as follows Group 1: less than 1 year of formalin exposure Group 2: 1 – 5year of formalin exposure Group 3: 6 – 10 years of formalin exposure